I hope you are doing well, Schandelle!

I use a retainer method when establishing a relationship with new clients then I convert them to monthly hourly billing. I do keep the retainer method for some clients if I feel there is a risk of late or non-payment or if they prefer that method. I have not yet had a situation come up that requires a…[Read more]

Great discussion. Thank you all for sharing your experience and Schandelle for starting the thread.

I absolutely refund the full balance of the retainer when our collaboration concludes. And I do it very quickly, generally the same or next day when notified that we’re wrapping up services. It’s how I’d want to be treated. But it all depends on how your contract is structured.

This is a very interesting situation, of all parties involved. Thank you for sharing. During the pandemic in 2021, in-person visitation to any healthcare facility was very restricted. I believe this occurred around the nation. Unsure if this is a solid defense for the plaintiff.

While rarely needed, I do refund when there is a positive retainer balance.

AnnMarie McIlwain
Patient Advocators

Hi Deb,

Please have the media person contact me.

I would very willingly dicuss with themr my experience with over the counter Medicare claims.

Many thanks!
Best regards,
Adria Goldman Gross
MedWise Insurance Advocacy, Division of MedWise Billing, Inc.
PO Box 123
Monroe, NY…[Read more]

Hi Deb,

Please have the media person contact me.

I would very willingly dicuss with themr my experience with over the counter Medicare claims.

Many thanks!
Best regards,
Adria Goldman Gross
MedWise Insurance Advocacy, Division of MedWise Billing, Inc.
PO Box 123
Monroe, NY…[Read more]

I have had many cases over the years with very high MRI charges. I almost always reduce them to a very reasonable amount.

Please provide my conact information: Many thanks!

Best regards,
Adria Goldman Gross
MedWise Insurance Advocacy, Division of MedWise Billing, Inc.
PO Box 123
Monroe, NY…[Read more]

I have had many cases over the years with very high MRI charges. I almost always reduce them to a very reasonable amount.

Please provide my conact information: Many thanks!

Best regards,
Adria Goldman Gross
MedWise Insurance Advocacy, Division of MedWise Billing, Inc.
PO Box 123
Monroe, NY…[Read more]

I really enjoy the following resource Billy App when comparing rates for testing and procedures in differing states. This tool allows you to input the CPT (procedure code) and zip code and will display the range of prices for different facilities.

The tool permits 3 free searches/month; anything beyond this requires a $10/month subscription.…[Read more]

nice article by GE Healthcare about MRI cost variance with practical points at the end when doing research on this:
https://www.gehealthcare.co.uk/insights/article/how-much-does-an-mri-cost

Thank you for sharing, Linda. My first thought was patient rights to an appeal with Medicare QIO. However, a decision is not rendered weeks later as in this delayed discharge case. I’ve only had one client in two years where we appealed the discharge because the surgeon, his NP, and the hospital case manager were all rendering different opinions o…[Read more]

I also have retainer contracts and 5 1/2 years into my business, this week is the first time I have a client who no longer wants support and has hours left on his retainer. My client has dementia and his daughter, who has POA, has told me that once he is at the point of needing full-time support, she will bring me back on to help navigate his…[Read more]

Hi Schandelle,
Personally, I have one billing rate for ‘complex/medical advocacy’, always billed at ten hr retainer increments, and a lower rate for medical billing, with a four hour retainer charged at a time. Even though my personal contract states the retainer balance will not be refunded. If the client cancels the contract, I tell them ver…[Read more]